Automatic fuel cut-off



E. S. KING.

AUTOMATIC FUEL CUT-OFF.

APPLICATION FILED 001.8, 1920.

1,399,967. PaIenIea 1190.13, 1921.-

2 SHEETS-SHEET 11 v APA F1o. 2 I QIIII K, (D

"""III" IIHIIIII Encan sTEnMAN KING, or oseoon, INDIAN@ AUTOMATI FUEL CUT-0FF.

Specification of Letters Patent.

lPatented Dec. 13, 1921.

Application filed October 8, 1920. ySerial No. 415,684.

cation.

The present invention relates to an automatic fuel cutoff for internal combustion engines or the like.

The object of the invention is to provide an automatic fuel cutoff of this character which is controlled by the pressure in the lubricating system of the engine, .which is effective to cut off the supply of fuel -to the engine when the pressure in the lubricating system falls below the point at which a complete and eiicient circulation of the lubricant is insured or dangerously exceeds the point of safe operation and which is of extremely simple and durable construction, reliable in operation and easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects ,and advantages of the invention reside in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, and in which: v

Figure 1 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the invention, parts being shownin elevation for the sake of illustration;

Fig. 2 is a 'transverse horizontal sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, illustrating the construction common to ,all embodiments of' the invention; y

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view of a modified form, parts being shown in elevation for the sake of illustratlon;

Fig. 4 is a similar view of another modiied form; and

Fig. 5 Yis a diagrammatic view, illustrating diagrammatically the manner in which the invention is associated with an internal combustion engine.

Referring to the drawings, and especially toFig. 5, it will be seen the invention contemplates an internal combustion engine of any conventional or standard type and designated generally at I. The engine includes as usual a carbureter C and a'lubricating system, designated diagrammatically at -L which embodies a pump designated at I.

A fuel tank G is provided, and is adapted to supply fuel to the carbureter C through the pipe line O. The automatic cutoff which constitutes my invention is designated generally at A., and as shown in the drawings is incorporated in the pipeline O which leads from the fuel reservoir to the carbureter. p

This automatic cutoff in all embodiments of the invention includes a cylinder 10 having its ends provided with -upper and lower caps, designated at 11 and 12, respectively and suitably secured to the cylinder. The upper cap 11 is providedwith a centrally disposed and internally threaded opening 13 which communicates at its inner end with an axially alined but reduced opening 14 leading into the interior of the cylinder 10. A section O1 of the ipe f uel .line O is secured to the cap 11 y threaded engagement with the openin 13, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 3 fand et." ntermediate its ends the cylinder is provided with 'a lateral opening 15 which communicates with another section O2 of the pipe line O which also has threaded engagement with the outer vend of the opening 15. .The opening 15 constitutes a discharge outlet for the lfuel.

A piston, designated generally at 16, is slidably mounted within the interior of the cylinder 10. The piston includes a lower solid head 17 which is slidable in the lower portion of the cylinder and an upper hollow head 18 having its upper end open and which is slidable 1n the upper' portion of -tlhe cylinder. Intermediate the heads 17 A and 18 an annularv groove 19 is cut inthe periphery of the piston thus forming a neck connecting the upper and lower heads. The upper head l18 is provided with a circular series of openings 20 which extend from the interior thereof to the anniiar groove, 19.

In all of the embodiments. of the invention, spring means is interposed between the upper head 18 of the piston 16 and' the` .cap 11. l

loo

In the form of my invention sh'own Fig. 1, this spring means comprises a single coil spring 21 abutting at its opposite ends the upper h'ead 18 of the lpiston 16 and the l cap 11, respectively. The coil l"spring 21 is arranged in the hollow head 18, as shown in Fig. 1. It is of such strength as to limit the upward movement of the -piston 16 of.

thecylinder to the position shown in Fig; 1. Y In the form of my invention shown in. ig.

los

t erative positions.

3, the spring means 'consists of two coil springs, designated at 21a and 21", respectively. The spring 21 consists of a relativel long and relatively light coil spring whic is actively engaged with the upper head 18 of the piston 16 in all of its op- The spring 21b consists of a relatively short and heavy coil spring which is arranged within the coil spring 21a and which normally has no effect upon the piston 16, only coming into action when the piston 16 reaches the position shown in Fig. 3 with the annular groove 19 alined with the discharge outlet 15. At this time the coil spring 21b supplements the action of the coil spring 21 in resisting upward movement of the piston 16 in the cylinder, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 4 the coil spring is substantially the same a's the coil spring 21 of Fig. 1 and is designated at 21c and is similar in its relations and in its action to the other elements of the cutoff'. p

In all forms of the invention, the lower cap 12 vof each cylinder 10 is provided with a centrally disposed integrallythreaded openin 12a and is connected by means of a short p1pe connection L and a T-connection L2 with the oil circuit or lubricating system L. This arrangement exposes the lower head 17 of the piston 16 to the oil pressure in the lubricating system, and this pressure when it is normal forces the piston 16 up into the cylinder to the position shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, with the annular groove or neck thereof alined with the lateral opening 15 of the cylinder thus providing for a continuous flow of fuel from the tank C through the section O1 of the pipe line O,

the opening 14, the upper portion of the cylinder 10, the interior of the hollow piston 18, the openings 20, annular Cgzroove 19, the opening 15 and the section of the pipe line O to the carbureter C. If, however, the pressure in the lubricating system falls below the point to insure proper circulation the piston 16 under the action of the spring means drops down in the cylinder until the outer solid wall of the hollow piston completely covers the lateral opening 15 and cuts off the flow of fuel to the carbureter of the engine and stops the engine until the conditions in the lubricating system have been remedied. In addition to this action in the embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 3, if the pressure in the lubricating system increases to such an excessive yand dangerous degree as to forecast serious injury, the pressure forces the piston 16 up in the cylinder past the position shown in Fig. 3 and against the action of both the springs 21 and 21b until the solid head 17 covers the discharge outlet 15 and cutsof the flow of.

fuel to the engine.

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 4, auxiliary means is rprovided for cut ting off the flow of fuel. As shownin the drawings in this form of the invention the cap 11 is elongated and has provided therein an auxiliary valve cavity 22 having in its lower portion a conical valve seat 23 with which the conical valve head 24 of the auxiliary valve coperates. The conical valve head 24 is carried at the upper end of the valve stem 25 which is secured at its lower end to the upper piston head 18. It is apparent that when the engine is idle and the piston 16 has dropped down in the` cylinder under the action of the spring means, the conical valve head 24 will coperate with the conical valve seat 23 to cut off the flow of fuel in conjunction with the action of the head 18 of the piston.

In order to provide. `for starting when ordinarily there is no pressure in the lubri` catinf system, a bypass from the pipe section to the pipe section O2 is provided. This bypass is preferably cast integral with the cylinder 10 and has therein an opening 28 which extends from the opening 14 to the opening 15. The portion of the bypass surrounding the opening 28 and adjacent the opening 14 is provided with a valve seat 29 for the needle valve 30. The needle valve has its shank threaded, as usual and as indicated at 30, and is provided with a stuffing box 31. It is obvious that when the needle valve is turned so as to be removed from its seatl 29 and the fuel may flow freely from the pipe section O to the opening 14 and thence through the opening 28-to the opening 15 which is what occurs when the engine is started. After the engine Ahas been started the needle valve is turned to engagev its seat and cut oil' the flow through the bypass and at this time -the automatic cutoff is operative to shut off the supply of fuel should the conditions in the lubricating system become dangerous.

It is to be noted that all of the working parts of the cutoffl lare' inclosed in a dustproof and water-proof casing and operate in oil and thus are not affected by the weather or other elemental conditions and are susceptible of efficiently operating on a very low pressure. The invention is so well organized and it is of such simple and compact construction that it can be advantageously associated with the standard internal combustion engine without interfering with the other mechanical equipment thereof and the jolts and jars to which it may be subjected do not materially affect its operation. It thus provides for the cutting oil of the fuel not only where the engine or the elements thereof are in danger because of insuiicient lubrication or the'lubricating system or its elements are in danger because of excessive lubrication but it also prevents waste offuel and the ingress of 1 and 4 and that in this form of the invention the piston is preferably not adapted to cut olf the supply of fuel under the action of excessive oil pressure. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 4 the relatively long and light coil spring 21 serves only to balance the normal oil pressure and to force the piston downwardly when the oil pressure falls below the point at which safe and eiiicient circulation of the oil is maintained but it does not limit the upward movement of the piston in the cylinder norl does the combined action of the coil springs 21a and 21". The combined action of these coil springs however is effective to prevent upward movement lof the piston in the cylinder to the point'at which the annular groove alines with .the discharge outlet for the fuel at all dpressures excepting an exceedingly high an l dangerous pressure and-under such circumstances these coil springs are compressed to permit .the lower solid head of the piston to cover the discharge outlet and cut of the supply of fuel. l

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described,

in .combination with an internal combustion engine having fuel supply and a -lubricating system in which the lubricant is clrculated under pressure, an automatic fuel cut-l off incorporated in the fuel supply and controlled by the pressure ofthe lubricant and consisting of a cylinder having its upper and having u "the fuel intermediate its ends and havmg end in communication with the fuel supply a lateral discharge outlet for its lower end in communication with the lubricatin system, a iston slidablymount- .'-ed in sai heads with VAan annular groove in its pe riphery and a pluralityv of openings extending lfrom the interior of the hollow head to the annular groove, a coil spring arranged in the ulpper end of the cylinder and enaging tf y the normal lubricant pressure when .the engine is running balances the coll spring v to aline the annular groove with the lateral discharge outlet and permita free flow of fuel, a bypass around said cylinder for aving a lower solid` e upper head of the piston where-4l starting-the engine, trolling said bypass.

and a needle valve con-y 2. In a 'device of the character described,

in combination with an internal combustion engine having a fuel supply and a lubricat ing system in which the lubricant is circulated under pressure, an automatic fuel cutoii' incorporated in the fuel supply and controlled by the pressure of the lubricant and consisting of a cylinder having its upper end in communication with the fuel supply andhaving a lateral discharge outlet -for -the fuel intermediate its ends and havi its lower end in communication with the system, a v iston slidably mountlubricatin d cylinder aving a lower solid ed in sai `head exposed to the pressure of the lubricating system, an upper hollow head havingv its upper end open, said piston being provided intermediate the upper andl lower heads with .an annular groove inv its periphery and a plurality of openings extending from the interior of the hollow head to the annular groove, and a coil spring arranged in the upper end of the cylinder and engaging the upper head of the piston whereby the normal lubricant pressure when the engine is running balances the coil spring to aline the annular groove with the lateral discharge outlet and permit a free flow of fuel.

3. In a device o f the-character described, in combination with an internal combustion engine having fuel supply and a lubricating system in which the lubricant is circulated underjpressure, an automatic fuel cutoff incorporated in the fuel supply and controlled by the pressure of the lubricant and consisting of a cylinder having its upper endin communication with the fuel supply and having a lateral discharge outlet for the fuel intermediate/its ends and having its lower end in` communication with the lubricating system, and 'a piston slidably mounted'in said cylinder having a lowerl solid head exposed to the pressure of vthe lubricating system, an upper hollow head n having its ucpper end open, said piston being provide intermediate the upper and lower heads with an annular groove in its periphery and a plurality of openings extendlng from the interior of the hollow head to the annular groove.

4. In an automatic vfuel cutoiil of the character described for usein internal combustion engines having alubricating system in which the lubricant circulates under pressure, a cylinder, a piston slidably mounted in said cylinder having an upper v.hollow head having its upper end open and a lower solid head ex osed to the pressure of 'the lubricant, sai piston being provided with an annular oove intermediate said heads and a plurallty of openings affording communication between the interior of the hollow head and the annular groove and a coll spring bearing against the hollow head of said piston. y

5 An automatic fuel cutoff of the character described for internal combustion engines having a fuel supply including a fuel line and a lubricating system in which the lubricant is circulated under pressureincluding a cylinder incorporated in the fuel supply line, a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder and having an upper head and a lower head, said piston being provided with an annular groove intermediate said heads, the lower head of said piston being exposed to the pressure of the lubricating system, and the upper head having an opening therethrough to provide for the control of the fuel, and a coil spring bearing against the upper head of said piston and balancing the normal lubricant pressure.

6. An automatic fuel cutoff of the character described for internal combustion engines having a fuel supply including a fuel line and a lubricating system in which the lubricant is circulated under pressure including a cylinder incorporated in the fuelsupply line, and a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder and having an upper head and a lower head, said piston being provided with an annular groove intermediate said heads, the lower head of said piston being exposed to the pressure of the lubricating system, and the upper head havingan opening therethrough to provide for the control of the fuel.

7. An automatic fuel cutoff of the character described for internal combustion engines having a fuel supply including a fuel line and a lubricating system in which the lubricant is circulated under pressure in.

cluding a cylinder incorporated in the fuel supply line and having an inlet for the fuel at its upper end and a lateral discharge outlet therefor' intermediate its ends, a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder and hav-- ing an upper hollow head provided with an upper open end and a'lower solid head eX- posed to the pressure of the lubricating system, said piston being provided intermediate said upper and lower heads with an annular groove and having a plurality of openings affording communicatlon between the upper hollow head and the annular groove, whereby when the pressure of the lubricant alines the annular groove of the pistonwith the lateral discharge' outlet lubricant is circulated under pressure in` cluding a cylinder incorporated in the fuel supply line and having an inlet for the fuel at its upper end and a lateral discharge outlet therefor intermediate its ends, a .piston slidably mounted in the cylinder and having an upper hollow head provided with an upper open end and a lower solid head exposed to the pressure of the lubricating system, said piston being provided intermediate said upper and lower heads with an annular groove and having a plurality of openings affording communication between the upper hollow head and the annular groove, and a `coil spring lbearing against the upper head of said piston and for balancing the normal lubricant pressure to retain the lateral groove alined with the discharge outlet. v

9. In an automatic fuel cutoff of the character described for use in internal combustions engines having a lubricating system in which the lubricant circulates under pres sure, means actuated by the pressure of the lubricant for controlling the supply of fuel including a piston having a head exposed to the pressure of the lubricant, and spring means operatively engaging with the opposite head of the piston consisting of a relatively elongated and light coil spring and a relatively short and heavy coil spring arranged within said first-mentioned coil spring. A

l0. In anautomatic fuel cutoff of the characterdescribed for use in internal combustion engines having a lubricating system in which the lubricant circulates under pressure, means actuated by the pressure of the lubricant for controlling the supply of fuel including a piston having a head ex- EDGAR STEDMAN KING. 

